Tom Suozzi to run for Nassau County executive

Suozzi, 50, who served as county executive from 2002 to 2009, launched his campaign via a new website, Suozzi2013.com, and video message. (Watch the video below.)

In a letter on his website about why he was running, Suozzi said he “loved the job of county of executive” and has “a vision of our county’s future that will not try and frighten you about the loss of our past, but excite you about the opportunities for our future.”

With Suozzi entering the race, the November election looks like a rematch of four years ago, with Democrat Suozzi running against Republican County Executive Ed Mangano.

Suozzi admitted he made a mistake during the 2009 campaign, believing himself to be untouchable.

“When the national economy hit the skids, Nassau felt it and we faced brand new challenges,” Suozzi said. “Voters wanted change, and they weren’t convinced that I was paying attention. I took my 2009 campaign for granted. It was my fault and it will never happen again.”

Suozzi’s designation as the Democrats’ flag bearer isn’t automatic either. Roslyn School Board Trustee Adam Haber has already declared his intent to run for the Democrats, and in the last week North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman said he filed paperwork to create an exploratory committee to look at a possible countywide run.

But Suozzi has the backing of Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs, who was pushing him to re-enter the political scene and run for county executive again. Jacobs is planning a press conference for noon today to formally announce Suozzi’s entrance into the race.

Suozzi said if elected he would restore “fiscal stability” to Nassau, which is under the control of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, a state agency. He said he would end “irresponsible borrowing and skyrocketing debt.”

In 2006, Suozzi lost to Eliot Spitzer in a gubernatorial primary. He was mentioned as a possible successor when Hillary Rodham Clinton resigned her Senate seat to become secretary of state. The job went to Kristen Gillibrand.